John W. Strayer, M.D.

Jan. 10, 1915 - May 2, 2006

Jan. 10, 1915 - May 2, 2006

John Wesley Strayer, M.D., 91, of Missions East, Niles, Michigan, died following an extended illness at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2006, in Buchanan Meadows Living Center, Buchanan, Michigan.

Dr. Strayer was born on January 10, 1915, in Buchanan, to John C. Strayer, M.D., and Florence (Clark) Strayer, and had lived in this area all of his life. He was president of his graduating class of 1932 at Buchanan High School, and continued his education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, earning the Doctor of Medicine in 1940. He served his residency at the University of Michigan Hospital, and was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity, the Nu Sigma Nu Medical fraternity and was president of the University of Michigan Glee Club.

Serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Captain Strayer was a flight surgeon. He returned to the University of Michigan where he earned the Master of Surgery in 1949. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member by appointment of the Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society, Ann Arbor.

Advertisement

In Niles, Dr. Strayer joined with several other physicians to establish the Niles Medical Center on Grant Street where he practiced general surgery for 48 years. He was the first board-certified surgeon to serve Niles, and was a past chief of staff at the former Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland), and past president of the Berrien County Medical Society.

He was a ember of Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles, and was a 50-year member of its choir. He was also a member of the Niles-Buchanan Club of Rotary International, a member of Buchanan Lodge 68 F& A.M., Orchard Hills Country Club and the Signal Point Club, and was active with the Berrien County Cancer Service.

On September 13, 1941, in the Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles, he married the former Virginia "Ginny" Eaglesfield, who survives. Also surviving are their children, Kathryn (Jerry) Rossow of Buchanan, Anne (Michael) Comer of Battle Creek, Michigan, and John "Jack" Strayer of Alexandria, Virginia; their grandchildren, Elisabeth Rossow, Peter (Jamie) Rossow, Amy (Michael) Williams, Sarah (Joseph) Young and Jonathan (Christa) Comer; and their great-grandchildren, John, William, Ann, Eliott, Frances and Morgan.

Dr. Strayer was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert C. Strayer and William C. Strayer.

The funeral service for John W. Strayer, M.D., will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2006, in Trinity Episcopal Church, with The Reverend Franklin P. Schuster III of the church officiating. Committal services will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan, and will conclude with the Veterans Flag Presentation by American Legion Post 51, Buchanan. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Dr. Strayer may be made to the Pipe Organ Fund of Trinity Episcopal Church or to the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan.